Will our skipper be in the 17 once Wrench is fit?

I reckon the club captain should/will have to play for his place like everyone. Wrench (like Ratchford at Centre) has a bit to prove. Let's hope all our centres perform well and we have a selection "problem" ... if there is such a thing.

Powell clearly thinks highly of Ratchford given he was just about the only one of the old guard to be given a new contract. His goal kicking puts him in a strong position. I’m not a massive Mata’utia fan, and think his place is more at risk. Hopefully he repays the faith shown in him by Powelly (more a Welsh seaside resort than a nickname in my view).

Mata'utia is a good solid centre, who can break a line and is strong defensively. I've got no problems with him, he put more effort in last year than most of the squad. The whole team played really badly last year and can't be judged on a season where everyone was bad.

I think sometimes Matautia was trying to make up for the lack of drive in the forwards. With our bigger pack, I'm hoping he'll rehone his centre skills and provide his winger with a well timed pass into open space.

Just to be clear I wasn’t a Peter M fan before we signed him, not just based on last season. Then again I thought Holmes would be a good signing.

Peter Matautia ... some good bits & Conor Wrench shows his pace https://www.google.com/search?q=peter+m ... xwp2hYUsRk

Peter Matautia ... some good bits & Conor Wrench shows his pace https://www.google.com/search?q=peter+m ... xwp2hYUsRk

Did he leave that at Castleford?

Disappointed in Ratchford being allocated the Captaincy.

Once Hughes was injured, Ratchford was our on field Captain for a significant part of last season and I saw little leadership in those games with a meek acceptance of defeat in games that we could have won with more effort from the team, usually in defence.

This, and back end of the season, he visibly started losing his head when we were getting beat, and he was putting passes into the stands.

I hope its a club captain and a team captain situation

I’m happy with the appointments.

I am happy too. Should be a good Club Captain. I believe Williams will be the key decision maker whoever is the designated captain. Stef is a very skilful lad (who sometimes overdoes it) but I am looking forward to seeing how he links with Dufty. How we use Dufty could be the key to our season.

Now, I’m being positive this year. Resolution still stands. But this is a fair point. The lack of leaders and overall leadership was bemoaned last year, yet three of the four in that group were part of last years squad, and regular starters too.

Got to say too that I'm disappointed with the appointment of Ratchford too and agree with Boss Hogg here. Captaincy and leadership-wise, I've seen nothing from him, especially during the times we've needed on-field leadership. I would have gone with Mcguire or Williams or someone not associated with the last 7 years malaise.

In the spirit of positivity, let's hope that what happened in 2022 doesn't negatively affect what will happen in 2023, and that we can all enjoy a much happier year. Hopefully the need for stronger on-field leadership has been hammered home, and the players will show considerably more resilience when under pressure.